thing, that we so wish to live, merely means that we are ourselves nothing
else but this desire to live, and know nothing but it. And so what remains
after the complete annihilation of the will, for us who are so full of the will,
is, of course, nothing; but on the other hand, for those in whom the will has
turned and renounced itself, this so real world of ours with all its suns and
milky way is nothing."
"Vanity of vanities", says Solomon -- "vanity of vanities -- all is vanity.
What profit hath a man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun? One
generation passeth away, and another generation commeth: but the earth
abideth for ever.... The thing that hath been, is that which shall be; and
that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing
under the sun. Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it
hath been already of old time, which was before us. there is no
remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of
things that are to come with those that shall come after. I the Preacher was
King over Israel in Jerusalem. And I gave my heart to seek and search out
by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: this sore travail hath
God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the
works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and vexation of
spirit.... I communed with my own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great
estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me
over Jerusalem: yea, my heart hath great experience of wisdom and
knowledge. And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness
and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much
wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
"I said in my heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy
pleasure: and behold this also is vanity. I said of laughter, It is mad: and of
mirth, What doeth it? I sought in my heart how to cheer my flesh with
wine, and while my heart was guided by wisdom, to lay hold on folly, till I
might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under
heaven the number of the days of their life. I made me great works; I
builded me houses; I planted me vineyards; I made me gardens and
orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruits: I made me pools
of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared: I got me